Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 19: The revered Peer Kho temple on the banks of river Tawi has been developed as a major pilgrim tourist attraction by spending a whopping Rs 3.50 crore as part of the State Government’s initiative to promote religious tourism in the City of Temples, said Tourism and Culture Minister, Nawang Rigzin Jora during his visit to the site today.
The development of Peer Kho temple shrine was taken up by the Tourism Department during last fiscal under Mega Tourism Destination Scheme, funded by Central Government.
The project, which includes TRC complex, dormitory, Amphitheater and parks, walkways, shelter-sheds, bathing ghat, parking lot and public convenience, besides view decks on the banks of river Tawi created to enable the pilgrims to enjoy the splendorous beauty of Bhag-e-Bahu and historical Bahu Fort, is nearing completion and is likely to be inaugurated by early next year.
The Tourism Minister said that development of pilgrim places in the State was getting focused attention, adding that massive infrastructure development programme have been initiated to provide added facilities to the pilgrim tourists coming from within and outside State to such places.
The Member Legislative Assembly Jammu East, Ashok Khajuria, Director Tourism Jammu, R. S. Mehta, besides senior officers and engineers of Tourism Department accompanied the Minister during the visit.
The Peer Kho cave temple, overlooking the Tawi river, is well known Shiva Temple in Jammu. It is located on the banks of river Tawi and is widely believed that Ramayan character Jamvant (the bear God) meditated in this cave. The Shiva lingam inside, which is believed to have been formed naturally, is one of the major attractions of J&K pilgrim tourism. It reflects the natural wonders of the State. Not only the Hindus, but the followers of other faiths also visit Peer Kho to explore its enigmatic aura.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel